We are pleased to welcome into the fold Gary Quill, whose GQ Approach handicapping selections will be a regular feature on The Racing Biz.  Gary, whose work also appears over at Horse Racing Nation, e-ponies.com, and wnst.net, has been playing the ponies since the 1960s, and his passion for the game is evident.  Gary has also been a guest handicapper in the Preakness infield’s corporate village.  Gary especially focuses on horizontal wagers — that is, multi-race bets — and that focus is the GQ Handicapping Approach  Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.

[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Multi-race wagers[/su_heading]

    • Race 1: $2 Double — 2, 5, 7 w/ 4, 5, 7 ($18)
    • Race 3: $0.50 Pick 3 — 1, 5, 7 w/ 2, 4, 8 w/ 1, 10, 11 ($13.50)
    • Race 5: $0.20 Jackpot Pick 5 — 1, 10, 11 w/ 1, 7 w/ 2, 5, 9 w/ 5, 7 w/ 2, 4, 5 ($21.60)
    • Race 7: $0.50 Pick 3 — 2, 5, 9 w/ 1, 5, 7 w/ 2, 4, 5 ($13.50)

 

SPECIAL PLAYS Best Bet: Race 3/Our R J

Longshot: Race 5/Sing the Dream 

 

[su_heading size=”21″ align=”left”]Analysis[/su_heading]

Race 1

  1. #2 – Trade Rumor (9-2): How can you trust an 0 for 19 maiden? When she’s 3 for 3 ITM on Fast track
  2. #7 – Just Ace (1-1): Well backed (8-5) last out when 1st off Trombetta claim and stepping up; today drops 2 classes
  3. #5 – Zillions (10-1): 3rd in most recent race as winner & runner-up came back to win

Race 2

  1. #7 – Whiskey Sour (2-1): Couldn’t catch #4 last time but has plenty of pace in here to chase down late
  2. #5 – Bob’s My Uncle Bob (7-2): Adds blinkers and cuts back to maiden score distance
  3. #4 – Wayne’s Way (8-5): Did not disappoint as favorite 1st time off Ness claim

Race 3

  1. #5 – Our R J (3-1): *Best Bet* Lapenta home bred has not panned out, time to continue to drop & cut losses
  2. #1 – Hold the Thunder (8-1): Learning in each race what’s expected of him; 4th start could be a charm
  3. #7 – Fowler Avenue (3-5): Was dead last by 13 lengths in MSW at Aqu; what a bargain @ 3-5… not!

Race 4

  1. #2 – Muscles Marinara (2-1): Ran huge v. better while having traffic trouble; drops back to level of success
  2. #8 – Rojo Perfecto (10-1): Runs well in 1st race off layoff and trainer hits at 22% with these types
  3. #4 – Wonderful Union (7-2): Scratched from Friday’s N1X allowance sprint event for here (easier spot)

Race 5

  1. #1 – Sing the Dream (12-1): $Longshot Play$ Last raced on a fast track 3 back, at this distance & level was a “W”
  2. #11 – Reason to Drink (4-1): Must respect Magee 1st race after claim (32%)
  3. #10 – Torchrunner (8-1): Trying to regain old form; best Brisnet# came at today’s distance (7f)

Race 6

  1. #7 – My Son Ernie (4-1): A. Dutrow gave this one time off to get education after failing 3 times to break maiden; nice work tab
  2. #1 – Ticket Holder (8-5): Darley/McLaughlin have been patient w/ this FTS who has been sharp in A.M.
  3. #5 – Bravest (9-5): Failed as favorite in 3rd start despite earning 91 Brisnet#; away 90 days

Race 7

  1. #9 – Loren’s Rock (5-2): Runner-up at this distance in last when dropped from $15k to $5k
  2. #5 – Real Justice (10-1): “House Horse” was beaten favorite at CT returns to Lrl versus softer
  3. #2 – Newport Red (6-1): Claimed in forgettable last by Lake from Potts; threat if you can toss last

Race 8

  1. #7 – Wherethere’sfire (9-5): Extra furlong no problem has she can go gate to wire
  2. #5 – Stormin Wendy (5-2): Blew by rivals in hand, first time going this distance; can repeat
  3. #1 – Tupancy Links (10-1): Overmatched in $100k stakes; does well when on the rail

Race 9

  1. #2 – Thunder Ranger (5-1): Seems to give best effort no matter what where he’s placed, just no wins yet
  2. #5 – Dargle (9-2): FTS for McMahon a 2013 Kee purchase for $40k, so why is he in for $15k?
  3. #4 – Dr Bolt (7-2): 1st start after Kobiskie claim who hits at 26%; should play “catch me if you can”

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

  • On Thursday, Jan. 15th at Laurel had just 3 winners from 9 races having $2 WIN pay-offs of $3.80 (2nd race), $25.60 (3rd) and $5.40 (8th).
  • The BEST BET of the Day (7: 0-2-1) Rebel Exchange (9th race: 5-2 M/L; 3-2 PT) stalked the early pace near the rail, swung to the five path in upper stretch and gave way to finish 5th.
  • The LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY (6: 0-0-3) Special Congrats (7th race: 6-1 M/L; 5-2 PT) took action at the windows due to 3 scratches from the 10 horse field, but had bad luck when he lost a hind bandage at the quarter pole. Enough said.

 

Long-time racing fan and analyst Gary Quill brings his ‘capping insights to The Racing Biz. Follow him on Twitter @HorseRacingNut.